Re: Lisa's Anthro, Engels' OFPPS: econ base, 'group marriage'

[Adam Rose <adam@xxxxxxxx>]

I'm a total novice when it comes to such subjects.

However, I'd just like to point out that human beings transform their
environment as well as adapt to it.

In Self Made Man ( Roger Kingdom ? - can't remember ) the author argues that
when humans got to New Zealand, where up until then there had been no predators
at the top of the food chain, they went on a huge meat binge, radically
affecting the ecosystem. I don't know if this true, but the argument holds
anyway.

For instance, there is a half way house between "gathering" and "agriculture" ,
where humans weed out the plants they can't eat in order to let the ones they
can eat grow.

This is already transforming the environment in a way that animals don't do -
this weeding has to be done at the right time of year, in a way that doesn't
crush the plants you do want. There is forethought, planning, and dexterity
required.

The result, a better yield, in turn gives those humans with bigger brains,
more dexterity, a greater vocal range, a higher level of culture etc a
better chance of survival. It also means plants which humans eat are more
likely to reproduce.

This sort of argument has it uses against some green arguments which suggest
that somehow we shouldn't interfere with nature. So recently we have had
Prince Charles of the Charles + Diana show complaining about genetically
engineered tomatoes. The point is that humans have always effected the genes
of other animals and plants, simply by being human. After all, Brussel Sprouts
are only about 100 years old.

Adam.

Adam Rose
SWP
Manchester
UK


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